Ricoh’s GXR has been around since 2009and it comprises a back with the controls and LCD screen, and a separate, interchangeable camera unit. This camera unit is made up of a lens, sensor and image processor. Now, Ricoh has announced a new unit for its GXR compact system camera which is capable of accepting Leica M-mount lenses, as well as other brands when used with an adapter. The new GXR MOUNT A12 doesn’t have a lens; instead it has a lens mount.
The module will combine a 23.6 mm × 15.7 mm (APS-C size; total pixels: approx. 12.90 million) CMOS sensor, allowing the use of a large variety of classic rangefinder manual-focus lenses and it will also feature a newly developed focal plane shutter, the GXR MOUNT A12 makes it possible to mount Leica M lenses and provides a variety of compensation and correction functions. Other lenses can be used with the unit if a conversion adapter is used. A checking device is included for confirming whether or not other lenses are physically compatible with the unit. Module specs include 1,280×720 video (no word on frame rate or bit rate), ISO sensitivity max 3,200 and some lens correction algorithms. The GXR MOUNT A12 unit will be available from September 9th, 2011, while the price is yet to be confirmed.
